Streaming giant Netflix has riled up swathes of subscribers following reports one of it’s most popular shows will be divided into two parts ahead of its final season
The Netflix show is slated to be back on our screens this year (Image: Getty Images)
Fans of one of Netflix’s biggest shows have been left in the dark ahead of its fifth and final season. Whilst it might seem like yesterday, the very first series of Stranger Things actually aired in July 2016, and quickly garnered a cult-following.
Starring A-listers including Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown, the Sci-Fi/Horror, set in 1980s Indiana, follows a group of young friends ‘witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits’. “As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries,” the show’s synopsis adds.
According to Netflix’s global league tables, the latest instalment of the show is the second most popular TV show yet – attracting a staggering 140,700,000 views. If you haven’t watched the award-winning show yet (which introduced a whole generation to the legend that is Kate Bush) you might want to start freeing up your weekends, as the last season is on its way.
The show has amassed a cult-following since first airing in 2016 ( Image:
NETFLIX) However, What’s On Netflix, a website dedicated to streaming news, has sparked debate online after suggesting subscribers won’t be able to binge the entire season in one night. “We’ve been told and understand there are plans for a split release (we don’t know how many episodes are in each drop) in October and November 2025,” the publication wrote. “Sadly, we weren’t given exact dates and of course. [Take this with a] pinch of salt until we get an official reveal.”
Stranger Things Season 4 was also released in two parts, with seven episodes dropping in May 2022 and two more in July of that year. So, it’s not completely unreasonable to expect Netflix to follow a similar distribution model. In fact, Netflix has started to split seasons quite often, such as the recent Season 2 of Squid Game and Season 3 of Bridgerton. But, it’s clear fans aren’t thrilled about it.
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Taking to social media, a slew of subscribers slammed the streaming giant for potentially splitting the finale of Stranger Things up. “I hate Netflix’s whole spilling seasons of popular shows into two things,” one X user fumed. “Either release them all at the same time or release an episode a week. What is the point of waiting a month or two between halves of the season? This isn’t a network TV show with a winter hiatus.”
Another agreed, commenting: “Three years for a final season split in two – Netflix is taking everyone for mugs.” A third added: “Netflix should stop doing this,” while a fourth penned: “I am done with this trend. Give us the full season.”
It is widely reported that Netflix hasn’t commented on the release date(s) for Stranger Things Season 5. The Mirror has contacted the streaming site for comment.
Should streaming sites stop splitting series? Have your say in the comments section below